Joni won four Scholarships and now plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work.

Joni is a member of the Chippewa Indians, and she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Joni won our undergraduate Scholarship not just once, but four years in a row!

 

Any student seeking our undergraduate Scholarship must re-apply each year and compete with hundreds of other applicants. So receiving the scholarship more than once is truly an impressive accomplishment.

 

Joni is an inspiring leader of Native and social causes, so it’s easy to see why she was selected year after year. Her parents impressed upon her the importance of education and leadership. She took their guidance to heart, and in junior and senior high school she was:

A disciplined and hard-working student, Joni maintained a 3.7 GPA. She belonged to the Student Social Work Organization, where she volunteered on projects to assist the homeless, abused women, and people with physical disabilities. She also served as vice president of the school’s Native American Cultural Center.

 

Joni plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work before returning to her reservation to help prevent domestic violence.  She knows the need is real, and people say that Joni is a good listener who gives sound advice. Joni also hopes to “pay it forward” by helping recruit and mentor new Scholarship recipients.